Keegan Bradley opened with a 63 and leads the RBC Canadian Open by one shot after 18 holes at Hamilton Golf & Country Club. It was Bradley’s third sub-65 score in his last four rounds at the Canadian PGA Tour event.
“Just solid top to bottom. I hit almost every fairway, almost every green, and then holed some putts,” said Bradley, who made five-consecutive birdies (Nos. 7-11) to tie his career-best streak (R2/2018 CIMB Classic).
“With me it’s all about the putter. When that thing gets going I can do stuff like I did today.”
Five players were tied for second at 6-under par, including Irishman Shane Lowry, while eight more were deadlocked at 5-under 65, highlighted by former major winners Graeme McDowell, and Jimmy Walker.
Headliners: Rory McIlroy carded 67, while Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas finished even-par 70. Defending champion Dustin Johnson struggled to a first-day 71.
First-Round Leaderboard: Top-5
1. Keegan Bradley -7 (63)
2. Shane Lowry -6 (64)
2. Sungjae Im -6 (64)
2. Nick Taylor -6 (64)
2. Erik van Rooyen -6 (64)
2. Roberto Castro -6 (64)
Top-20 Ranked Notables
World Rank-Player (To Par, Pos)
01. Brooks Koepka (E, T84)
02. Dustin Johnson (+1, T106)
04. Rory McIlroy (-3, T25)
06. Justin Thomas (E, T84)
13. Matt Kuchar (-5, T7)
19. Bubba Watson (+1, T106)
20. Webb Simpson (-4, T15)
